Stencil Class - Clarification

Yesterday, I taught a class at Stamp Your Art Out using brass stencils and various techniques.  This card was one of the samples I displayed for inspiration.  I mentioned that this card was done with tacky paper and glitter.  Upon further inspection, I realized that this card was made using translucent embossing paste, not tacky paper.

My apologies for giving you incorrect information. 

Sketch 6 - Card #7

It should be obvious by now that I love punches and dies.  Having a variety of shapes in lots of colors makes it easy to put the finishing touches on any card.  I've said it before but I think it bears repeating - if you are color or shape challenged, find a piece of printed paper that you really like and take your color cues from it.  Then, mimic or complement the main image from the design in your other card elements.  I used the ivory, pink and sage green from the printed paper to choose colors for my card, the flower, circles and even the brad.  Since the paper was a floral and leaf design, I chose a flower punch for my central image.  It all works nicely together and without a lot of effort.

Try this approach on your next project and be sure to let me know how it works for you!

Sketch 6 - Card #6

In January's edition of "Cheaper by the Dozen", our them was "Chase Away the Winter Blues".  One of the cards was designed to send along a tea bag as part of a get well card; another included a packet of hot chocolate to warm and cheer up a friend on a cold winter's day and another included a bookmark because who wouldn't want to stay curled up in your pajamas with a good book on a blustery day?  The cards were a big hit with the students and I received lots of positive comments on them.  The most common sentiment was that it was nice to have cards that contained more than just a greeting.  We talked about several variations for those cards - with a little change in color and design they could easily become a holder for a gift card, a photo, etc.  The bookmark and photo corner are both from Accucut dies.  The verse stamp is from Penny Black.

So, I thought it was quite timely that this card be posted from the "Cards with Versatility" class.  Use a photo corner as a pocket to tuck something special into your next card.

Not familiar with the Cheaper by the Dozen class?  Each month, I pick a theme and design four cards to fit it.  One card is always a Christmas/winter card but the other 3 designs vary from get well, thinking of you, happy birthday, etc.  Students make 3 of each design so they have a total of 12 cards from each class, including envelopes.  Check out my class schedule to the right and see what you're missing! 

Sketch 6 - Card #5

I love to look at my craft supplies and figure out different ways to use them.  For this card, I took 2 die cut borders (Accucut) and turned the cut edges toward each other to make a center design.  I put a piece of colored cardstock behind the openings to enhance it.  Next I used raffia for the stem of the flower.  A few punched ovals (Marvy), a silk flower and acrylic bead center and this card is ready to send off to cheer up a friend on a gloomy winter day - or to wish my sister, Victoria, a happy birthday since today is her birthday.  Happy Birthday, sis!

What different uses have you come up with for your crafting projects?  Feel free to share your ideas by leaving a comment on this post.

Sketch 6 - Card #4

They just don't get any easier than this!  For those of you who attended the "Cards with Versatility" class, you may remember one of the tenets was to have various elements on hand to quickly create cards.  Using a pre-printed card, I grabbed a die cut tag (Sizzix) and stamped a flourish (Hero Arts) and verse (unknown) in matching ink and then wrapped it with a die cut flourish (Accucut) from my stash.  A quick loop of ribbon and it was all done - in less than 5 minutes.  Actually, it took longer to create the idea and gather the supplies than it did to make the card!

I hope you're making good use of your cards to go box!  Don't have one?  They are easy to create - just grab a photo storage box and fill it with pre-stamped verses, throw in some die cuts (make extras when you're working on a project) and a few pre-formed cards and you're ready to go!

Cheaper by the Dozen Contest

Note:  This post has been revised to clarify a few of the challenge rules.

This post is for all of my Cheaper by the Dozen ("CBD") students.  At my January classes, I announced our new "Perfect Attendance" program - attend 3 classes (or buy the kit from the class) and you'll receive a free card kit (makes 3 cards) from a previous CBD class.  I also announced a CBD challenge at the Monday class but apologize to my Saturday students as I forgot to mention it to you.

The CBD challenge works like this:

• The challenge runs quarterly and card entries are due as follows:


• 1st quarter - due April 1
• 2nd quarter - due July 1
• 3rd quarter - due Oct 1
• 4th quarter - due Jan 1


• Card entries are to be a variation of a card design from that quarter's classes
• Students can enter as many times as they want but must attend at least one class during the quarter
• Winners will be chosen via secret ballot from votes cast by students attending the classes following the entry deadline (e.g., 1st quarter entries will be judged by April CBD attendees)
• Entrants may not vote for their own cards and I will not be voting
• Winners agree to let me post their winning entries on my blog but I will return the cards to them
• Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place each quarter with a grand prize given at the end of the year for the overall winning entry
• Card entries can either be hand delivered to me during a CBD class or mailed to me in care of Coral Moon LLC at P. O. Box 62748, Cincinnati, OH  45262-0748.  Please do not leave your cards with a staff member of SYAO.
• Entrants may submit as many cards as they wish to but will be limited to one quarterly first prize per calendar year

The card above is from a previous CBD class using stamps from Stampscapes and Cornish Heritage Farms and some fun techniques.  Haven't yet attended a CBD class?  Check out the schedule to the right and sign up for February's class.  Our theme will be "I've Got You Pegged" and it promises to be informative and entertaining!

Sketch 6 - Card #3

Well, I apparently got carried away with taking time off over the holidays and I am now quite delinquent in finishing up the Sketch 6 series.  I really didn't get time off - I had several sewing jobs that needed to be finished for customers for the Christmas holidays.  I am happy to report that they were completed on time and now I'm catching up on my blog posts.

If you've been playing along with this series, you know that I created lots of cards for the "Cards with Versatility" class from last year's Stampaway class.  At some point in the process, I got a little slap happy and started playing with fun and funky colors.  This card is the result of one such moment.

The verse comes from Verses Rubber Stamps.  The brackets and scallop border are from Accucut dies.  I love combining die cuts, pretty papers in bright colors and fun verses for quick cards that I can use for most any occasion.

Check back tomorrow for the next card in this series. . .